The First 4 Commandments of Business Social Media Etiquette

 Setting up a social media content campaign is essential, knowing what to post is the other most important task.  But there are a series of die-hard deal -breaking rules we see wreaking havoc daily on business social media.  Why do we call them "rules"?  Because these are the ones that if not followed, contribute to lower algorithms, less engagement, less followers, less interest and therefore, less business.




1. Thou Shalt Always Respond When Your Business is Tagged in Someone Else's Post.  Ideally, this should be done within 24 hours of the original tag, but no later than 3 days after it. Social media is about immediacy and the international brand leaders know this.   Not only does it send the message you are alive, alert, but you are open for business. It also shows a connectedness to your audience- or for someone who took the time to give you a shout-out.  Each social medium has a language and way to respond and engage that's a bit different, so make sure you know how to maximize your responses and conversation (example: on Facebook, is it best to hit "reply" to a specific comment or leave your comment in the open main thread?;  on Twitter, do you message someone, quote their Tweet or Retweet?).  If you're not sure how/what to do, we can help.  

2.  Thou Shalt Share Content Posted On Your Wall by Visitors (if relevant to your business and brand).  Often visitors will share photos that include your business, or even articles that are relevant to your business or brand.  This is prime content-sharing material for sharing with your viewers and tagging any businesses or key people in the post or article.  To have an entire wall of posts shared by visitors and nothing done with them makes it look like no one is "home" and worse, prime opportunities for more marketing are being missed.  It also gives the impression you are self-indulgent and only interested in hearing your own voice on posts . When you share photos , articles and posts shared with you , you are giving a voice and power to your fans, too, and creating a community - a culture - who will follow you and be faithful .

 3.  Thou Shalt Not - Repeat NOT- Go On Political Rants or Slam Other Businesses on Public Business Social Media.  While everyone is entitled to an opinion and our country is founded on freedom of speech, freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.  Can you voice your opinion about politics or that horrible service you received on your recent flight?  Yes, you can.  But the better question is should you?  Those are personal opinions that can hold incredible emotions both with you as well as your followers.  Public social media is not the place to vent highly emotional incidents.  Everyone's social media feeds are already on overload with controversial news and opinions.  Allow your space to be the one place that offers refuge , fresh ideas - or better yet, blogs and posts on how to deal with bad service. Turn your difficult experiences into stories without mentioning names.  Be a part of the solution.  Certainly, if there is a situation such as horrible service that warrants follow up, there are a dozen other ways to follow up directly with the service itself and not in a public forum.  Remember, you are your brand and how you act is how people perceive how you will treat them.  Integrity and manners are everything.

4. Thou Shalt Not Post One Post a Week That is Simply An Announcement. Where do we start with this?  A year's worth of social media that shows an average of one post per week that is simply an announcement of news is not only boring, but the following is happening, and you may not be aware of it:

 a. Your once-a-week post is not reaching your audience . Why? Because Facebook sees that there is not that much activity on your Facebook page , and it reduces your "reach" because of lower algorithms (determined by the amount of activity and engagement on your page and posts) may reach 1% (at best) of your followers.

b.  Followers don't want announcements-only in content. They seek diversity:  engaging questions, relevant articles, photos, etc.  Social media is about getting your followers to participate, too. Getting them to engage and seeing your "voice" in how you work is what books business , and you cannot do this with just posting an announcement - and once a week.

Check back for more of the Commandments of Business Social Media Etiquette
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Engaging Inspiration provides sparkling marketing, social media, training solutions designed to engage and inspire for the special event business, venue and hospitality partner.